Hurricane Florence downgraded to Category 1 storm: Here's what we know and what to expectHurricane Florence has already proven to be not just powerful and destructive but wildly unpredictable.
After appearing headed toward the North Carolina-Virginia border at one point, Florence shifted south and is now taking aim at the Carolinas. And while the intensity of Florence's winds — still in the 90 mph range — have diminished enough to turn it into a Category 1, the storm has grown in s...

Gunman kills 5 — including his wife — in Bakersfield, California, authorities sayBAKERSFIELD, Calif. – A gunman killed five people, including his wife, before turning the gun on himself as a Kern County sheriff’s deputy closed in Wednesday, authorities said.
There was no immediate word on what sparked the shootings that took place at a home and a business in Bakersfield, which is some 90 miles (145 kilometers) north of Los Angeles.
“Obviously, these are not random shooti...

Massive Hurricane Florence 'is going to be a direct hit' on CarolinasFerocious Hurricane Florence marched relentlessly toward the U.S. East Coast on Tuesday, a massive storm threatening record rains and historic flooding as more than 1 million people flee the anticipated devastation.
“This storm is a monster. It’s big and it’s vicious,” North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said Tuesday. “The time to hope Hurricane Florence away is gone.”
The first rain bands could ...

Joe Biden returns to Instagram and draws 1 million followersWASHINGTON – Former Vice President Joe Biden returned to the popular social media platform Instagram as speculation swirls about whether he'll run for president in 2020.
Biden posted two images on Friday of himself and his wife, Jill, taking part in a walk for wounded veterans in New York. Since then, he has picked up 1 million followers.
Biden's blue-collar appeal has put him at the center ...

Tropical Storm Florence creeps closer to US, to head toward East Coast as major hurricaneTropical Storm Florence, now spinning some 1,500 miles from North Carolina's Outer Banks, "is forecast to be a dangerous major hurricane near the southeast U.S. coast by late next week," the National Hurricane Center said Saturday.
It should become a hurricane later Saturday as its winds increase above 74 mph.
Meanwhile, the remnants of what was Tropical Storm Gordon will soak portions of t...

Former President Barack Obama attacks Trump, who says he 'fell asleep' during speechWASHINGTON – Previewing his midterm elections campaign message, former President Barack Obama on Friday launched a direct and blistering attack on President Donald Trump and Republicans and called on Americans to get to the ballot box in November to "restore some semblance of sanity to our politics."
At one point referencing the "crazy stuff that's coming out of this White House," Obama told st...

Mike Pence denies writing critical NYT essay about Trump amid 'lodestar' speculationWASHINGTON – As President Donald Trump continues to bash the extraordinary criticism from within his administration, Vice President Mike Pence and other officials began denying authorship of an op-ed that has thrown the administration into turmoil.
"The Vice President puts his name on his Op-Eds," tweeted Jarrod Agen, communications director for Pence. "The @nytimes should be ashamed and so sho...

Paper, coins still have a place in our wallets and purses, federal officials sayWASHINGTON – Don't count coins and paper money out just yet.
While the advent of cryptocurrencies and other forms of electronic money – on top of the pervasiveness of credit card swiping and electronic bill pay – coins and bills may seem antiquated.
But the heads of the two agencies who create our coins and print our paper money told Congress Wednesday that both are alive and well ... and n...

President Donald Trump goes after AFL-CIO head Richard Trumka on Labor DayWASHINGTON – President Donald Trump began Labor Day by criticizing the head of the country's largest federation of labor unions.
Trump tweeted that AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka poorly represented his union in a recent television interview.
"Some of the things he said were so (against) the working men and women of our country, and the success of the U.S. itself, that it is easy to see why...

Visitors to John McCain's office documented his legacy in the Donald Trump eraWASHINGTON — Sen. John McCain's office smelt almost sweet. The aroma from dozens of white lilies and roses filled the room.
Photos of the Arizona Republican throughout the years filled the space, along with mementos from his home state, such as signed football helmets from state universities.
A mahogany cabinet with a black and gray visitor's log sat near the door. Only a few pages remaine...